HELP: Ultra Stubborn Tree Sap Mist

Swampy · 29-10-2006, 02:19 PM

HELP: After a week down Bussleton (South of Perth) my car seems to be covered in what I think is Tree Sap Mist from Peppermint Gums.

Being a white car it looks so bad; like someone has drizzled brown spray paint over every upper surface.

Have tried various polishes and even Meguires CLAY Detailing system but to no avail.

The only thing that remotely looks like working is "T-Cut" polish although this is pretty harsh stuff, still takes ages to bring back even a small area and I am looking for something to remove the mist without cutting hell out of the paint.

Any help or tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Swampy

The Monty · 29-10-2006, 02:40 PM

This sounds like some random stuff I had on my old camry. The only thing that ended up getting it off, was a little tub of Gumption, and a non stick fry pan scourer, rubbed very lightly. My paint didnt get scratched or anything, but I dont know if Id recomend it for a newer car. Hope that helps mate.

05MkIIFutura · 29-10-2006, 02:41 PM

no no no if your car's paint is still in good nic dont go cutting back layers, there are only so many and you will need those later on in the cars life

I find there is an awesome tar,bug and sap remover which just wipes on, you let it go for a little while and then come back and buff off. It takes all the shi*t off and leaves the car with a good shine. Only costs $9

Sorry i can remember the name, i will need to look at it when i get home in a few hours (I think it is Meguirs, but am not sure)

Swampy · 29-10-2006, 06:52 PM

Thanks, I look forward to the name of that.

Am getting really desperate, any advice would be great.

Thanks

Swampy

DOC · 29-10-2006, 07:10 PM

Have you tried the megs step 1 paint clnr , aslo you may also try a stronger clay as this could help out.

further to this i would not be parking under the tree and or using a quick detail to remove this as soon as it gets on the car and not leaving it.

Work Horse · 29-10-2006, 09:22 PM

Try Eucalyptus oil.......seriously

MO · 29-10-2006, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Work Horse

Try Eucalyptus oil.......seriously

Or Tea Tree oil just wipe it liberally and dry towell it of...and never park under the trees again without a car cover.

Julza · 29-10-2006, 10:02 PM

i agree with 05MKIIFutura, give the bug and tar remover a go mate (works wonders)

cheers,
Julza

rapidxr6 · 29-10-2006, 10:10 PM

"Sugar-Soap" i can't remember the brand name. Brother inlaw had the problem with peeing peppermint gums wrecking his wb's paint sugar soap got the crap off but needed a polish and wax afterwards...naturally :voldar02:

fordOwner · 29-10-2006, 11:35 PM

Im a horticulturalist and I have never heard of tree sap mist from Agonis Flexuosa's (Pepermint Gums) or any kind of trees. This is interesting, especially that I live in Perth and my ute is due out from the workshop next week from a respray AND I want to go for a cruise down south sometime soon too! Thinking about it it could be possible too especially if they were in flower.

And NEVER park under trees, especially if the trunk is smooth and light coloured, (mostly Eastern states trees are like this) not only is the acid from the nuts and leaves highly acidic but they are they are prone to drop branches especially at this time of year. Tree's are amazing things, they know its getting warm and water will be scarce so they drop limbs to preserve energy and consentrate on root and leaf growth.

I work at a Edith Cowan University as a gardener, I have seen plenty of cars get crushed in our carparks thats for sure, but the sap mist is new to me, im researching this one thats for sure!

XR Davo · 30-10-2006, 10:58 AM

There's a product called Sap Sucker distributed by Pacer Auto Products. You can buy online. http://www.pacer.com.au/shop/index.php

Works a treat just spray on and hose off. I have a white car too. This stuff just melts the sap there's no scubbing no paint damage. Worth a go definately.

ssb2005 · 30-10-2006, 05:26 PM

ultra gloss paint cleaner gets rid of most stuff. or bug and tar remover works good.

05MkIIFutura · 30-10-2006, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swampy

Thanks, I look forward to the name of that.

Am getting really desperate, any advice would be great.

Thanks

Swampy

The stuff is made by ArmorAll and is just called Bug & Tar Gel and i bought it for $9 from big W, but i am sure supercheap will be a dollar cheaper, if you really care that much and are willing to listen to the crappy 'SCAR" radio station they play!!

Wipes on and buffs off (and waxes your car at the same time!!!)

Worked wonders on my (white) car, best way to keep it looking shmick without a full wax

Swampy · 31-10-2006, 12:54 AM

Thanks everyone for your ideas.

Have tried quite a few and here's what happened:

Eucalyptus Oil - Didn't move it at all.

Sugar Soap - Eventually 10 mins for an area the size of a manderin.

Meguires Paint Cleaner - Works but still takes quite a bit of rubbing. Did about an 1/8th of the bonnet and took about 15 minutes.

So at this time will just persavere with that.

The problem is I think, that the car was well overdue for a polish and with the paint being porus, it really stuck fast.

When I first noticed it, I didn't think too much of it as I thought, it needed a polish anyway and there was my motivation.

Lesson learnt.

Thanks

Swampy

Pedro · 01-11-2006, 10:18 PM

Are you sure it's tree sap and not paint spray